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Qatar crisis, where to?

Jul 16,2017 - Last updated at Jul 17,2017

Afew months ago when Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries took a stand against Qatar, it was clear that the crisis is not a short-term one. The countries involved have a long history of conflict with Qatar, including recent attempts to influence their policies.

While it is unlikely to be a short-term crisis, there is little suggestion of the potential for military escalation. Rather, it is more likely the next steps will be an escalation of economic and jurisdictional measures against Qatar.

In recent weeks, the Qatari foreign minister visited major capital cities to speak with his counterparts who could influence international decision-making on the issue.

The strategy is to demonstrate the Qatari willingness to negotiate on the key issues and to defend Doha against accusations of sponsoring and supporting terrorism.

Likely to have been under discussion as well is the potential deepening of Qatari relations with Iran, which goes against the demands of the Gulf states.

It is distinctly possible that this is already moving as indicated by events in Syria. Some believe that the recent progress of the Syrian Army and its allies on the ground are a result of the new Qatari position on Iran.

While relations with Iran are a useful political leverage point for Doha, it could easily backfire.

Qatar’s strategy is heavily reliant on the US to step in to defend it; deeper relations with Iran are unlikely to lead down a path where the US protects Doha.

Qatar has signed a memorandum of understanding with the US to support the fight against terrorism; the current US administration may well interpret that to include Iran.

The US appears to be eager to contain the Gulf crisis, despite the fact that the Trump administration’s containment plan for Iran is based on increasing pressure and isolation.

As such, it will be interesting to watch how Doha pivots back to the US and distances itself from Iran in order to resolve the Gulf crisis.

Qatar’s other ally, Turkey, is also struggling both in Syria and within its own borders.

The US-Kurdish alliance is causing issues enough for the Turkish president to publicly criticise its establishment quite bluntly, but to no avail.

Comments

DR SAMUEL IHEMDI (not verified)

Mon, 07/17/2017 - 04:15

WHERE TO?. I AM AFRAID THAT ITS A LOCUS THAT HAS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF GETTING OUT OF HAND WITH CONSEQUENCIES RANGING FROM MILITARY CONFRONTATION TO COMPLETE DESTABILIZATION OF THE ENTIRE REGION. ALL THE LEADERS IN TAHT REGION SHOULD PLEASE CONSIDER AND EMBRACE PEACE FOR THE SAKE OF HUMANITY. IF THIS STATE OF AFFAIRS CONTINUES, IT WILL RESULT IN A SITUATION WHERE BY ALL COUNTRIES IN THAT REGION WILL SUFFER FROM SELF INFLICTED WOUNDS AND NO ONE WINS EXCEEPT THOSE THAT WISH THE REGION A ROAD THAT TAKES ONE STEEP FOWARD AND TEN BACKWARDS.

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The Jordan Times

The Jordan Times is an independent English-language daily published by the Jordan Press Foundationsince October 26, 1975. The Jordan Press Foundation is a shareholding company listed on the Amman Stock Exchange.